State College of Florida Foundation Celebrates 60 Years of Scholarships

State College of Florida Foundation Celebrates 60 Years of Scholarships

(Bradenton, Fla., Nov. 10, 2016) — The theme for last month’s State College of Florida
Foundation (SCFF) scholarship luncheon was 60 years of scholarship in honor of the
60th anniversary of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. And while the annual event
is organized to thank donors and recognize scholarship recipients, the Foundation
received an abundance of gifts, including textbooks, sheet music, stethoscopes and
money to use where it is needed.

The luncheon, which brought together donors and recipients, featured several speakers
and an array of music and dance performances. Marquel Simmons, a Mark and Alix scholarship
recipient, served as master of ceremonies and offered a heartfelt tribute to his mother,
Dorena Brown, a nurse who also graduated from Manatee Community College, now SCF.
Suncoast Credit Union celebrated their 16th year as SCF Foundation Scholarship Luncheon
Sponsor, serving as the exclusive sponsor this year.

The presentation included 60 years of College history and the connections to today.
The Foundation, which started in 1978, celebrated generous contributions of long-time
supporters through the years, including former Foundation board member Judge Ed Nicholas,
whose stepfather was Dr. Samuel R. Neel, the first president of the College. Suzan
Boyd and Stephanie Boyd Mitchell represented their family’s contribution to Manatee
Junior College through the Wilbur “Burr” Boyd scholarship. Dr. Carol Darling represented
the Palm Aire Women’s Club scholarship established in 1983.

More than two dozen other scholarship benefactors from across the decades also were
in attendance to help celebrate and support student achievement. The luncheon at the
IMG Golf Club included performances by SCF students who are members of the Sarabay
Dance Club, SCF Music Theatre Ensemble, and the SCF Presidential String and Jazz Quartets.
In the end everyone in attendance got to participate by dancing the Twist.

For more information about SCF scholarships or the Foundation, visit scf-foundation.org.